We are excited to announce that Donna Wright has joined The Able Trust as our new Director, Development & Marketing. Donna comes to us with a wealth of experience, beginning her career as a special education teacher and with a variety of business leadership roles including as COO at the Florida Chamber Foundation.

Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Lori Fahey, Allison Flanagan, Edmund Finder, James “Chip” Byers, Alexis Dempsey, Douglas Hilliard, Todd Jennings, Dr. Mavara MirzaAgrawal, and Laurie Sallarulo to the Florida Endowment Foundation for Vocational Rehabilitation Board of Directors.

We know you have something to say about building a disability inclusive workforce. Whether
it’s as a hiring manager, CEO, person with a disability, or service provider…your perspective is
important. Your story just might inspire someone else to make a difference.

Melisa Lewis wanted a career in health care – and she wasn’t about to let her auditory processing deficit and hearing loss keep her from achieving her dream. The education, internships, and career training she received as a student in The Able Trust’s High School High Tech program in Gainesville prepared Melisa to attend and graduate Magna Cum Laude from the University of Central Florida College of Nursing.

club’s volunteer activities. However, they decided that there had to be a way for them to help.

Talk Time: Finding Success in Difficult Times was a webinar on April 2, 2020 for staff at organizations providing employment placement programs for individuals with disabilities.  This peer to peer discussion explored how organizations across Florida are working remotely and accessing community resources amidst COVID-19 conditions. By sharing challenges and solutions freely we are all able to grow in a rapidly changing world.

Great opportunity for students with Autism grades 7 through 12. For registration information, contact Dr. Chrissy Ogilvie 850-324-6245

The Able Trust recognized Arc Broward as a recipient of a 2019-2020 Employment Grant. Arc Broward is being awarded $52,188 for its Arc Works career support for working-age adults with disabilities.

The Able Trust extended Giving Tuesday one more day when it recognized the MacDonald Training Center (MTC) as a recipients of a 2019 Strategic Employment Placement Initiative Grant.

On Giving Tuesday the Able Trust went all in. The Able Trust recognized Best Buddies Florida (BBFL) as a recipient of a $250,000 Strategic Employment Placement Initiative Grant.